Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart

Thirty True Things You Need to Know Now

By Gordon Livingston, Elizabeth Edwards

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Average Rating: (See all reviews) Format: Hardcover, 169 pages Published In: United States, October 2004 Quantity Available: 175 Ships within 6-10 days Psychiatrist Livingston has spent the past three decades "listening to other people's most intimate secrets and troubles." Having endured his own fair share of loss and sorrow, Livingston has come to recognize 30 truths that everyone needs to learn before it's too late. From The Publisher: Psychiatrist Dr. Gordon Livingston, who began his medical career serving as a physician in the Vietnam War, has spent the past thirty years "listening to other people's most intimate secrets and troubles." He has also endured his own fair share of loss and sorrow-losing two of his sons, one to leukemia, another to suicide. Over many years, Livingston has come to recognize 30 truths that we all need to learn before it's too late. Some of these truths are that we are what we do; any relationship is under the control of the person who cares the least; control is a popular illusion; forgiveness is a form of letting go, the statute of limitations has expired on most of our childhood traumas. With clear-headed, beautifully crafted prose, Livingston deploys his acutely sensitive heart and brilliant mind, underscoring the commonalities that course through every individual human life. For everyone who feels a sense of urgency about improving his or her life and is looking for wise advice on how to comprehend and navigate an increasingly complex, unsettled world, Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart will elicit laughter, tears, and a newly focused appreciation for the precious and perilous gift of life. Publisher: Marlowe & Company ISBN: 1569244197 EAN: 9781569244197 Dimensions: 18.64 x 13.56 x 1.96 centimeters (0.29 kg)

A wonderful, inspiring book filled with many wisdoms and observations by an American psychiatrist with over 30 years of patient experience and twice that in life experience.
I read this during a very difficult time in my life, where I found myself searching for meaning and understanding. I happened to stumble across this easy-to-read book which offers some very obvious truths about life and human nature that proved to be a balm to my spirit. It explains it's premise with real-life examples, and without preaching or sounding patronising, or becoming dry, scientific and boring.
Among the 30 things you need to know are: we are what we do, the statute of limitations has expired on most of our childhood traumas, the perfect is the enemy of the good, the most secure prisons are those we construct ourselves, only bad things happen quickly, there is nothing more pointless than doing the same things and expecting different results, we are afraid of the wrong things.
Here is an excerpt from my favourite chapter (love is not lost, not even in death): I am a parent twice bereaved. In one thirteen-month period I lost my oldest son to suicide and my youngest to leukemia. Grief has taught me many things about the fragility of life and the finality of death. To lose that which means the most to us is a lesson in helplessness and humility and survival. After being stripped of any illusions of control I might have harboured, I had to decide what questions were still worth asking...
Can't wait for the sequel to this marvellous book - Never stop dancing.